Estrogens Blood Test, Total

Quick Facts

• Sample: Blood draw (0.8 mL serum)
• Fasting: Not required
• Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.

Benefits

• Total estrogen assessment — measures overall estrogen level in a single test
• Direct access without referrals — order confidentially and get results fast
• Fertility and menopause insights — track ovulation timing and hormonal changes
• Cost-effective monitoring — more affordable than traditional healthcare channels
• Convenient collection — available at thousands of patient service centers nationwide

Who Is This Test For?

• Women tracking fertility, ovulation timing, or investigating irregular cycles
• Individuals experiencing menopausal symptoms or monitoring hormone therapy
• Men with symptoms of estrogen excess, including gynecomastia
• People assessing fracture risk or bone health concerns
• Patients monitoring antiestrogen therapy effectiveness
• Anyone investigating potential hormonal imbalances

How It Works – Just 3 Steps

1. Order online — no doctor's visit required, choose your convenient location
2. Visit lab — quick blood draw at a patient service center near you
3. Get results — secure electronic delivery within 3-5 business days

FAQ

What does this test measure? This test measures your total estrogen level, the overall amount of estrogen circulating in your blood, without distinguishing between individual estrogen types.

Do I need to fast before the test? No fasting is required. Simply avoid radioisotope scans prior to your blood draw.

How is this different from an estradiol-only test? Unlike single-hormone tests, this measures your combined total estrogen level, providing a general view of your overall estrogen status.

When in my cycle should I test? For menstruating women, note your cycle day when testing. Estrogen levels vary throughout the cycle, lowest after menstruation (15 pg/mL) and highest before ovulation (300+ pg/mL).

Can men take this test? Yes, men can use this test to evaluate estrogen excess, particularly when experiencing gynecomastia or other symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

What if my results are abnormal? Discuss results with your healthcare provider. You may need serial testing over several days or additional hormone tests based on your initial results.

More Details

What is the purpose of this test?

The Estrogens, Total Blood Test measures the total amount of estrogen circulating in your bloodstream. It is commonly used to assess hormonal balance, support fertility evaluations, monitor hormone replacement therapy, and aid in the diagnosis of certain medical conditions.

This test is performed using different laboratory methods, depending on the lab. LabCorp uses a sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) with a detection range of 20–2,500 pg/mL (Eagle Biosciences 2025). Other laboratories may use radioimmunoassay (RIA) for total estrogen measurement.

Healthcare providers may use this test to monitor hormone therapy, assess for estrogen-producing tumors, evaluate fracture risk in postmenopausal women, and check for estrogen excess in males or patients undergoing antiestrogen therapy (Mayo Clinic 2019).

Who would benefit from this test?

This test is recommended for:

• Women with irregular menstrual cycles
• Individuals experiencing infertility
• Menopausal women monitoring their hormone levels
• Individuals on hormone therapy
• Men with estrogen excess symptoms like gynecomastia
• Patients tracking antiestrogen therapy
• Assessing estrogen-producing tumors
• Optimizing fertility planning
• Evaluating bone health risks related to estrogen deficiency

When should I order an Estrogens, Total Blood Test?

Consider this test when addressing fertility concerns, managing menopause symptoms, or monitoring hormone therapy. It is also appropriate when evaluating fracture risk in postmenopausal women, checking for estrogen excess in males, or following antiestrogen therapy progress (CDC 2024).

Common reasons for testing include irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, decreased libido, bone health concerns, or breast tenderness. For fertility tracking, testing near ovulation may provide the most useful insights.

How do I interpret the results?

Estrogen levels should be assessed based on your age, gender, and reproductive status. Your healthcare provider will help interpret your results in the context of your health history and symptoms.

Elevated estrogen levels

• What it means: May indicate estrogen-producing tumors, effects of hormone therapy, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Typical action: Additional testing, imaging studies, or therapy adjustment

Normal estrogen levels

• What it means: Expected for age, gender, and reproductive status
• Typical action: Continue routine monitoring as needed

Low estrogen levels

• What it means: May suggest ovarian insufficiency, menopause, or medication effects
• Typical action: Consider hormone therapy and assess bone health

For menstruating women, estrogen levels generally range from 15 pg/mL post-menstruation to over 300 pg/mL before ovulation.

Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.

Pre-test preparation

No special preparation is needed. You do not need to fast, but avoid radioisotope scans before specimen collection. Continue your usual medications unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.

For menstruating women, noting your cycle day at the time of testing may assist with interpreting results. The test requires a standard blood draw, with samples remaining stable for up to 14 days when stored appropriately.

How often should I get tested?

Testing frequency depends on your individual health goals and medical conditions.

• Fertility tracking: Monthly during the fertile window
• Hormone therapy monitoring: Every 3–6 months initially, then annually
• Menopause transition: Every 6–12 months
• Antiestrogen therapy: As directed by oncologist, typically every 3–6 months
• General health monitoring: Annually after age 40

Why early detection matters

Detecting estrogen imbalances early helps prevent serious health complications and improves treatment outcomes. Polycystic ovary syndrome, linked to estrogen imbalance, affects approximately 5.2% of U.S. women — nearly double previous estimates (2023). Osteoporosis, often related to estrogen deficiency, impacts over 10.2 million U.S. adults, with women making up more than 80% of cases (International Osteoporosis Foundation).

Women ages 40–44 have about 11 times the risk of infertility compared to younger women, highlighting the importance of early hormone evaluation (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2022). Early identification of hormonal imbalances allows for timely intervention through lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, or other treatments.

Related tests you may consider

Estradiol, Sensitive, LC/MS — provides higher sensitivity for measuring estradiol specifically, particularly valuable for postmenopausal women, men, and adolescents where lower detection limits are needed.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Luteinizing Hormone (LH) — these pituitary hormones work with estrogens to regulate reproductive function, providing a complete picture of hormonal balance.

Testosterone, Total and Free — important for evaluating overall hormonal balance, particularly in PCOS cases or men with gynecomastia, as testosterone-to-estrogen ratios are clinically significant.